Bargaining team reaches first agreement with District

Week two of contract negotiations went well! We had five faculty members join open negotiations as observers. Vice Chancellor Dianna Gonzales began the session by emphasizing that the district and the union have a common goal – to raise faculty salaries. She and acting VC of Finance David Martin then presented us with much of the financial information we had requested — a welcome change from recent years, when key information was withheld or inaccurate. Because of this newfound responsiveness, our bargaining team now has enough financial information to begin the budget analysis that will allow us to formulate salary proposals.

The other big development of the week was that we reached our first tentative agreement on Contract Article 16 (Work Environment)! Our team proposed several changes, including provisions for gender-neutral restrooms and breast-pumping rooms, improvements to health and safety provisions, removal of some victim-blaming language around assault, and union representation on the Health and Safety Committee that will allow us to take direct action on working conditions and facilities. After clarifying some terms, Vice Chancellor Gonzales agreed to our proposal without revisions, and both parties signed a tentative agreement on this section of the contract.

Next week, the district will respond to our proposals about coaches’ compensation, categorical employees and flex obligations. And we are planning to present information on payroll fixes, paid and unpaid leave, and retiree rights. If you would like to attend as an observer, please contact Athena Waid at awaid@aft2121.org, and review our open negotiation guidelines.

You can also read all of our AFT 2121 negotiation updates on our website.

Contact AFT 2121 at 415-585-2121 or visit us online at aft2121.org. Follow us on Facebook.
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